Kitchen island - help needed

3 years ago

Hello Houzzers, we’re planning to update our kitchen and we’re currently struggling with the size of the island. We need to maximise the storage potential but don’t want (obviously) for it to be out of scale or to cause problems getting around the kitchen. There is no flexibility in terms of moving anything else in the kitchen. I’ve added photos of the kitchen below plus sketches of the existing island/location measurements and two options we’ve come up with. All advice or criticism welcome as keen to get it right. Please forgive scribbles on plan - a small boy on the loose!

Featured Answer

HU-752410343

3 years ago

Having open end(s) and side(s) would free you from constraints of doors and adds visual interest. Access from both sides makes the internal space more usable, since deep cabinets tend to lose things at the rear. Incorporating some drawers facing the table, sink, and cooker could be helpful for cooking gadgets and tools and serving items (cutlery, hotpads, and napkins) can be handy and reduce counter and wall/backsplash clutter. I recently had an island included in my newbuild with access from 3 sides, which included deep drawers, shallow drawers just under the countertop, and the end access is a door on one end and is open on the other. I also included electrical sockets under each end and these are very handy for things like toaster, mixer, blender, grill, waffle iron, phone charger, etc., some of which can be stored below but readily accessible for the dining table or for cooking prep work.

Be sure to include some overhead lighting (and decide if it will be recessed or a feature). Consider an overhead pot rack but don't get hung up on the idea- it has advantages and drawbacks. Keep the walkways to 1.2m minimum and 1.5m if there are 2 cooks! One of the best things you can do is make a model (or several) using posterboard. It's easy to do and you can view it from various side angles rather than just a plan view from above and even photograph it from different angles to get a better sense of a future reality. Put the model (or photos) where you can see it/them over several days before deciding on the final form and placement.

If you want to use off-the-shelf (vs custom) components, you could join upper wall units mounted on a base facing different directions. Consider having a different countertop surface and colour or texture of materials to make your island a feature. If you are retaining the wood cabinets shown in your photos a light colour island will keep your kitchen feeling more open. I chose a stunning cultured stone top but a very plain laminate for the wall counters to emphasize the island as a feature.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

olivia38
Original Author
3 years ago
And the plans.
PRO
Amberth
3 years ago
Good morning Olivia,

Minimum distance between the wall units and the island should be 900mm all around. 1000-1200mm is most efficient and comfortable if you have more than one person working within the space. The diagonal distance could also go down to 900 or 1000mm so it looks like option 2 should work fine and you could move the island a bit more towards the pillar and make the kitchen island 1400x900, which could give you island with an overhang or units on both sides.

However, best approach would be to think about the overall design of the kitchen area and how to make it functional and beautiful. There maybe other options possible.

I hope it helps.

Kind regards

Inga Kopala
Related Discussions
I need help with my kitchen island and my fire place
Q
Comments (11)
Well, you could certainly provide some counter height stools without adding onto the counter. I would make the stools simple ones that don't call attention to themselves. Look at how the ones below are there to be sat upon but there's no overhang. The height you will need is called a counter stool. Or you have space for 2 at each end of the island with just a big of an overhang. People just like a place to perch while they chat with you while you're cooking. White stools would blend right into the island and be inconspicuous.
...See More
I need help with my kitchen island and a fire place
Q
Comments (1)
Photos didn't get attached, try saving as 'jpeg' files.
...See More
Need help with creating a casual seating area in my kitchen
Q
Comments (10)
Thanks. Beautiul space. Can you please take a photo of the wall that is across from the island? -there is no overhang on the counter...so I am not seeing stools there on either the long portion of the island or the shorter portion by the window. -if you mean by the window, there is a door on one side and an oven on the other.....hence it is a traffic way,,,,,,you don't want stools there I am not sure why you feel the need to put something there. You might consider art on the wall across from the island to ground that wall. Need a photo.
...See More
To put hob on kitchen island or not to put hob on kitchen island?
Q
Comments (28)
Hi amfork, I went ahead & put the hob on my island & am delighted I did. I find it really is so much nicer looking out at the kids/my husband & being able to chat to them while I prepare meals as opposed to facing the wall with my back turned on everyone. I put a 4 ring induction hob on the island & put a 5 ring gas hob on counter facing wall. I did this as I have a large extended family & we frequently have get togethers. It’s great for catering for big events. However, I use the 4 ring induction hob on a daily basis. Hope this helps! Best of luck with your project, Claire
...See More
Jonathan
3 years ago
If you need extra storage why not look at swapping the table at the side of the kitchen for more storage?
Janet
3 years ago
Have you considered a square island? This could be in proportion to the L shaped run you currently have and the same distance from each run of units. We did not design our kitchen but the square island we have works well in the space and is very practical for cooking and serving.
jackietravers61
3 years ago
I would make the island as big as possible and square 1300mm by 1300mm.
Shakti Kotak
3 years ago
Hi Olivia

We are almost in a similar layout while doing extension I was thinking to maximize island and bring cooker or sink on island and utilise the whole wall as storage anyways what ever you go with plz post your completion it's always good to look at different ideas good luck for your project.
olivia38
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you all for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it.

Amberth - we’ve plotted out your measurements which has been really useful.

Jonathan - I know, I know! That table is both a love and bane of my life! We bought it when we first married and have dragged it around the world with us and now we are home THIS is the only wall it (almost) fits along.

Hu - such a good idea re open ends not impeding access or flow with doors. Lots of inspiration! Yes, I agree about the light coloured top - I think we’ll put a white quartz top on all the counters (maybe with a grey vein) which I think will brighten the room too.

Shakti - I would love a wall of storage but my husband is super keen on the range cooker! Good luck, too! I’ll post photos. Please post too!

Janet and Jackie - we hadn’t considered a square island! It seems odd that we hadn’t so thanks so much for opening our eyes to that.
saxonend2
3 years ago
We also wanted to maximise storage when we moved from a peninsular arrangement. We ended up with a more or less square island with shallow back to back 60cm drawer units and 2 narrow shelf units - overall it is 120 x 98cm. We mounted it on large, lockable casters so we can move it out of the way if we have a large crowd of people or if we just feel like a change. It is also more flexible with space between it and the fixed units.
PRO
PAD Kitchens
3 years ago
Hi Olivia,

Making sure you have sufficient room all the way around the island is very important for flow of the kitchen (especially with the children always by your side). The minimum distance all the way around would be 900 but ideally 950+ if possible.

I really like the Option 2 as is feels like the island is made to the suit the shape of the kitchen.

I would also suggest lovely big pan drawers on the new island, and this will give you much better and more efficient use of space. You could even consider bar stools on the back, to create a social area or a place for the children to sit and do homework whilst you are preparing dinner.

We are a London based kitchen design company and would be happy to discuss further, please feel free to get in touch. My email is lj@pad.london

Libra
PRO
Lima Kitchens
3 years ago
Hi Olivia, using drawers in the island instead of cupboard will maximise the efficiency of storage. Also, rotating 90 degrees so that it runs the other way should allow you to make this longer and deeper, potentially even adding casual seating. I would anticipate being able to get Upton 2 x 800 drawer units and 2 shallow depth units on the reverse.

Kitchen island - help needed

HU-752410343

Comments (11)

olivia38
Original Author

Amberth

Related Discussions

Jonathan

Janet

jackietravers61

Shakti Kotak

olivia38
Original Author

saxonend2

PAD Kitchens

Lima Kitchens

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US

Kitchen island - help needed

Comments (11)

olivia38Original Author

Related Discussions

olivia38Original Author

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US

olivia38
Original Author

olivia38
Original Author